Sneak Preview

A look at what's coming up in August on TV12

The Real Olympics

As the final preparations are made for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, this two-part program explores the dramatic contrasts between the ancient Greek games and today's athletic reincarnations. Eliciting the expertise of historians from universities around the world, the first episode, "Death or Glory," reconstructs the major events of the ancient games (complete with stuntmen, horse wranglers and hundreds of young athletes) and reveals how they have been reinvented throughout history by different ideologies. The second hour, "Playing to Win," points to the powerful human connection between games past and present, and makes the surprising discovery that the more the games develop, the closer they return to their ancient roots.

Tuesday & Wednesday, August 3 & 4 at 9 p.m.

The Hidden Art of Hollywood

The title "production designer" was coined by Gone With the Wind producer David O. Selznick after he decided more credit should to be given to the scope of work done by William Cameron Menzies, who painstakingly illustrated each set design, color and camera angle to be used in the epic film. Since Menzies, Hollywood's leading production designers have created many films' resonating icons; this program celebrates their considerable influence on the world of motion pictures. Among those interviewed are Academy Award-winning designers from The Godfather, Amadeus and Restoration (set drawing pictured); noted film historians and the president of the Art Directors Guild; and production designers from such recent favorites as A Beautiful Mind and American Beauty.

Wednesday, August 25 at 8 p.m.

Closing the Achievement Gap

In New Haven, Connecticut, one public school is proving that the persistent achievement gap between low-income black students and their suburban white counterparts does not need to exist. Hosted by columnist Clarence Page, this new special travels to Amistad Academy to determine what specifically makes these minority students -- many who enter the fifth grade at only a third-grade achievement level -- succeed while so many others fail. From the first day of school, to eighth grade graduation, to teachers discussing high classroom expectations, Closing the Achievement Gap captures the Amistad community and witnesses first-hand the integral components of its model system: constant positive reinforcements, a strict discipline policy and the proper support inside and outside the classroom.

Wednesday, August 25 at 10 p.m.